Just got the three rods I ordered from Cabela's lat week, and the only thing that keeps crossing my mind is how much I need to "season" the cork. I just really dislike the way "fresh" cork feels, and I much prefer the look cork gains after being covered with skin oil, sweat, nd fish slime. I told my friend about this, and he told me that I'm crazy and that by allowing the "Patina" to accumulate on my grips I'm abusing them and shortening their useful life...what's wrong with me?

p.s.- I'll be taking the 3-wt out for a test drive on a few local brookie streams next week, before my license for this year expires (I'll be buying a 5-year license next year), so hopefully I can season that one a little, but I'll have to wait until spring to break in the 8-wt and the 10-wt.

Posted on: 2013/12/20 3:34

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I think it's primarily a cosmetic and aesthetic issue and the state of the cork does little to affect its functionality or useful life. I personally like it when the rod looks used; new cork has that pale and sickly look.

I'm with you. I hate the look and feel of new cork. I know it's strange, but the first thing i do when i'm fishing with a new rod is dunk the handle and look for some mud to rub over the handle before i start fishing. OCD?